Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends special message to America's next generation after special World Cup run for USMNT appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The USMNT was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup . It was a disappointing display for the USMNT as they fell 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 .
As the team looks towards the future, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a special message for the next generation of America's players, per Fox Sports.
"Listen, the young generation out there, I hope they get inspired by this World Cup because it has been amazing. It has been great. Go out there on the streets, play the game. Play indoor, play on the pitch, have fun, enjoy, and bring it into the pro football. This is a work in progress. It will come. It's on its way," Ibrahimovic said.
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The USMNT has made the quarterfinals just once since 1990. In that time, they have been eliminated in the Group Stage three times, while being eliminated in the Round of 16 five times. In 2002, they fell in the quarterfinal to Germany by a 1-0 score. They also failed to qualify in 2018.
That run came eight years after the last time the United States hosted the World Cup. The United States hosted in 1994, and eight years later made the run in the quarterfinals. That is not quite a full generation, but long enough to push the overall play of the United States to another level.
Participation in youth soccer has been growing in recent years . Still, participation where players are involved more than 26 weeks a year has slowed down. Further, the primary area of growth has come on the women's side of the sport, as the men's side has remained more stagnant.
Hopefully, for the future, both the USMNT and the USWNT can continue to grow and make progress on the international level.
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